The Africans Time uses artificial intelligence only for creating, preparing or editing images and other visual material. Human editors remain responsible for editorial judgement, research, verification and publication decisions.
This policy separates the limited use of AI for visuals from the editorial work involved in researching, writing, editing and publishing journalism.
Current AI Use
AI-Generated Images
AI-generated images may be used as illustrations or conceptual visual assets where an illustrative image is appropriate to the subject.
They are not documentary evidence and must not be presented as real photographs of events that did not occur.
AI Images Must Not Be Used To
- fabricate visual evidence that an event occurred;
- falsely depict a real person attending an event;
- depict a real person saying or doing something they did not say or do;
- fabricate a protest, conflict, disaster, crime or political event as if it were documentary photography;
- create fake screenshots or documents presented as authentic;
- create false charts or data presented as genuine evidence;
- mislead readers about a location or event.
The same principle applies even where a synthetic image is visually realistic. Realism does not turn an illustration into evidence.
Disclosure
Where an AI-generated image could reasonably be mistaken for documentary photography, its illustrative or AI-generated nature should be made clear.
Disclosure can be provided through:
- an image caption;
- an image credit;
- a visible editorial note;
- another clear label appropriate to the format.
The purpose is to prevent readers from mistaking synthetic imagery for evidence of a real event, real person, real place or real document.
Human Responsibility
Human editors decide:
- whether an AI-generated image is suitable;
- whether it represents the subject without misleading readers;
- whether disclosure is required;
- whether the image should be published, replaced or removed.
AI systems do not make final publication decisions for The Africans Time. Responsibility for what appears on the site remains with human editorial judgement.
What AI Must Never Fabricate
Artificial intelligence must not be used to create false supporting material or invented evidence that appears to validate a published claim.
Sources and Evidence
- sources;
- documents;
- interviews;
- reports;
- studies;
- datasets;
- citations;
- official statements.
People and Credentials
- authors;
- editors;
- experts;
- organisations;
- academic qualifications;
- professional credentials;
- awards;
- affiliations.
Quotes and Facts
- quotations;
- statistics;
- events;
- financial figures;
- legal or regulatory claims;
- evidence presented as verified fact.
AI Is Not an Editorial Source
The Africans Time does not treat an AI system as an authoritative factual source.
Published factual claims should be supported by identifiable sources such as:
- official documents;
- government sources;
- regulators;
- company filings;
- public datasets;
- direct interviews;
- recognised institutions;
- other reliable primary or secondary sources.
An AI-generated answer, summary or synthetic document is not a substitute for the underlying evidence needed to support a factual claim.
Quotes
AI must not invent quotations or attribute words to a real person who did not say them.
Published quotations should be based on identifiable source material such as direct interviews, recordings, official transcripts, written statements, public speeches or original documents.
AI-generated wording must not be placed inside quotation marks in a way that makes it appear to be a genuine statement from a real source.
High-Impact Topics
The Africans Time covers financial, legal, political, business, health, safety and other topics that can influence significant decisions.
AI output must not be treated as authoritative evidence in these areas. The potential impact of an inaccurate claim makes source-based verification particularly important.
Relevant factual claims require reliable source-based verification.
The Africans Time content is informational and does not constitute personalised medical, mental-health, legal, financial, investment, tax, safety or other professional advice.
Politics and Public Figures
AI-generated imagery involving politicians, public officials or other identifiable people requires particular caution because realistic synthetic imagery can create a false impression of participation, conduct or endorsement.
Such imagery must not falsely depict a real person participating in an event, making a statement or engaging in conduct that did not occur.
Data and Charts
AI-generated data, statistics or charts must not be presented as genuine evidence unless the underlying data is real, verified and accurately represented.
Where The Africans Time publishes a chart or data visualisation, relevant source data should be identifiable where necessary. AI must not be used to invent values, trends or comparisons and then present them as measured results.
Corrections
If an AI-generated image is misleading, incorrectly labelled or inappropriate, The Africans Time may:
- correct the caption;
- add disclosure;
- replace the image;
- remove the image;
- add a correction where the issue materially affected the published content.
Concerns can be reported to [email protected].
Future Changes
If The Africans Time materially changes its use of AI, this policy should be updated to describe the actual workflow rather than implying uses that are not in operation.
Contact
Questions about The Africans Time use of artificial intelligence may be sent to [email protected].
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